Thursday, December 1, 2011

Arc Elves Prep for Dec. 10 Breakfast with Santa, Angel Wreath Program

With a surface area of 196,935,000 square miles to cover during just one night, even magical Saint Nick can use a little help during the holiday season. That's why The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming doubles as Santa Claus' satellite workshop in Mount Morris, NY during the month of December.

Arc "elves" are currently busy preparing for Breakfast with Santa, which will be held Saturday, December 10th at Geneseo United Methodist Church, 4520 Genesee Street (Route 63) in Geneseo. Breakfast with Santa is free and open to the public, and is presented by The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming Foundation, with additional support from local businesses and volunteers.

Santa does double-duty at The Arc's Breakfast with Santa, which consists of two sessions: children 12 and younger dine with Santa at 8:30 am, while older kids and adults with disabilities get together with Saint Nick at 10:30 am. In total, more than 200 children, parents, and other adults attend annually.

"What sets Breakfast with Santa apart from all other Arc events each year is that it brings together people of all ages and abilities," says Arc Board President Cheryl Englert. "It is a community event in the truest sense of the word."

In addition to Breakfast with Santa, Arc personnel are making a list and checking it twice for the agency's Angel Wreath Gift Giving Program, which runs until December 21st. For this program, Arc employees unite with people served by the agency to collect and distribute toys for children who are served by the agency's Head Start program. The program reached more than 150 children in 2010.

A fitting conclusion to a generous holiday season – and while they may not travel 196,935,000 square miles in a single night, Santa's helpers at The Arc certainly cover a lot of ground.

"It's a lot of work, and well worth it," says Public Relations Specialist Bonnie McGoldrick. "But with all these gifts, I don't know how Santa is going to fit down the chimney."

For more about The Arc's holiday programs, or to register for Breakfast With Santa, contact Bonnie at (585) 658-2828, extension 108 or bmcgoldrick@lwarc.org.

About Me

The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming is a private, not-for-profit organization providing services to developmentally disabled individuals and their families in the Western New York counties of Livingston and Wyoming.
Through its residential, vocational rehabilitation, children's services, transportation, and community services programs, the agency helps to enhance the lives of more than 800 community members who rely on services each year.